Hosanna Fellowship- February 24 , 2013 Jeff Oakes
Hosanna Fellowship
Studies in the Gospel of Mark- Chapter 6 Part 2
I. Kingdom Principles- Power in Rest
A. The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.-(Mark 6:30-32)
B. The apostles had been out preaching and ministering to the needs of the people declaring the kingdom, and the Lord encouraged them to regroup and get some rest. Jesus was and is well aware of our need to regroup and rest after intense spiritual battle. The rest though is derived in refueling our hearts with Him.
C. The human being is not work non-stop. As a matter of fact, in the beginning it is said that the evening and the morning were the first, second, third,...day.
II. Kingdom Principles- Power in Provision
A. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii[fn] worth of bread and give it to them to eat?" And he said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they had found out, they said, "Five, and two fish." Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.-(Mark 6:33-44)
B. Jesus was moved by compassion for the crowd. As the Great Shepherd, He was moved over the fact that they were like sheep with no shepherd to protect them, to nurture them, or to provide for them. The under-shepherds He was training had a similar response to the great need the flock presented them with just as the religious leaders of their day (the ones entrusted with shepherding the flock) addressed the same needs of the flock, “let them fend for themselves.”
C. Jesus’ response to the disciples (under-shepherds) was that they should give them something to eat. "'And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. (Jeremiah 3:15)
D. We know they used what they had; 5 Loaves and 2 fish, and God did a miracle!
III. Kingdom Principles- Power in Mission
A. Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night[fn] he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.-(Mark 6:45-42)
B. Before we see them crossing over to the other side with Jesus in the boat, but this time He makes them go ahead of Him. He spends time alone praying until the wee hours of the morning and then He just walks on the water to get to the other side. It is a familiar scene because as they approach the other side the wind gets all riled up again, but this time it is not overwhelming the boat simply resisting it.
C. Jesus demonstrates His authority over the winds of resistance and the waves of uncertainty that hamper the disciples progress and no doubt when we are on mission we will prevail and get to where we are going! Besides this little watch dog that had been dispatched against the advancing kingdom and truly been under Jesus’ feet.
IV. Kingdom Principles- Power in Testimony
A. When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.(Mark 6:53-56)
B. Land at Gennesaret - Matthew 8:28 says that he came into the country of the “Gergesenes.” This difference is only apparent.“Gadara” was a city not far from the Lake Gennesareth, one of the ten cities that were called “Decapolis.” “Gergesa” was a city about 12 miles to the southeast of Gadara, and about 20 miles to the east of the Jordan. There is no contradiction, therefore, in the evangelists. He came into the region in which the two cities were situated, and one evangelist mentioned one, and the other another. It shows that the writers had not agreed to impose on the world; for if they had, they would have mentioned the same city; and it shows. also, they were familiar with the country. No men would have written in this manner but those who were acquainted with the facts. Impostors do not mention places or homes if they can avoid it. - Albert Barnes
C. Jesus testimony was that He was good and kind and he healed all that were sick and came to him. Therefore, when they saw that He was there they ran and brought everyone they could.
D. I would like to further suggest to you that the testimony of Christ had been witnessed to because of another person as well. Remember the Gadarene demoniac? And he did not permit him but said to him, "Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled. (Mark 5:19-20) The power of His testimony can change lives forever!